Number 1)
Take the bus to the game and-
A] Leave the ground by 9:30PM
B] Hope other people haven’t filled up the bus
C] take another bus from Civic at 9:53PM
D] Arrive at Cohen St. Belconnen at 10:23PM and catch last bus of the night
E] Get home around 11:00 PM and miss all the action at the end of what could be a brilliant match.
version 2 in this scenario means I couldn’t get a seat before 9:30 from Manuka and I have to walk a long way to get home because the bus drivers have gone to bed.

2) Drive to the game and cop a fine of $75-130?? Not really worth it.

3) Stay at home in my air conditioned comfort and have as many beers as I deem fit without fear of being kicked out of the premises, avoid hefty fines and exercise.

Also remember that the phone network (last year’s ODI anyway) was totally overloaded, so when people pulled their phones out at about 9pm to arrange pick-ups, many batteries were dead from constantly disconnecting/reconnecting all afternoon.

Slightly OT but there is a rumour going around that Abbott will use his speech at the cricket to declare that the official pronunciation of Manuka will be changed from “Marnicka” to “Manooka” in response to many requests over the years and representations from the NZ High Commissioner and the Maori/Pacific Islander community. Let’s hope this is true because the “Marnicka” pronunciation in Canberra is an embarrassment and has attracted ridicule from others interstate and overseas for many years.

Number 1)
Take the bus to the game and-
A] Leave the ground by 9:30PM
B] Hope other people haven’t filled up the bus
C] take another bus from Civic at 9:53PM
D] Arrive at Cohen St. Belconnen at 10:23PM and catch last bus of the night
E] Get home around 11:00 PM and miss all the action at the end of what could be a brilliant match.
version 2 in this scenario means I couldn’t get a seat before 9:30 from Manuka and I have to walk a long way to get home because the bus drivers have gone to bed.

2) Drive to the game and cop a fine of $75-130?? Not really worth it.

3) Stay at home in my air conditioned comfort and have as many beers as I deem fit without fear of being kicked out of the premises, avoid hefty fines and exercise.

There are thousands of legal parks in the area. If you want to drive, just be organised. The Manuka Coles or art gallery are the closest and easiest, it’s only $10 for all day and the locals will naturally appreciate your visit a whole lot more.

Catching a bus might be a good idea if you’re on a tighter schedule or not inclined to arrive early and take advantage of the fabulous bars and cafes or do a bit of window shopping in the arcades.

Slightly OT but there is a rumour going around that Abbott will use his speech at the cricket to declare that the official pronunciation of Manuka will be changed from “Marnicka” to “Manooka” in response to many requests over the years and representations from the NZ High Commissioner and the Maori/Pacific Islander community. Let’s hope this is true because the “Marnicka” pronunciation in Canberra is an embarrassment and has attracted ridicule from others interstate and overseas for many years.

What right do the Kiwis or Pacific Islanders have to tell us how to pronounce something which is named after a tree that originated in Australia in the first place? They can call it what they like but I have always heard it pronounced Marnicka and will continue to do so until the day I die, there is nothing embarrassing about it at all. Our fearless dictator can’t make me change how I say something, that’s a breach of my freedom of speech.

Number 1)
Take the bus to the game and-
A] Leave the ground by 9:30PM
B] Hope other people haven’t filled up the bus
C] take another bus from Civic at 9:53PM
D] Arrive at Cohen St. Belconnen at 10:23PM and catch last bus of the night
E] Get home around 11:00 PM and miss all the action at the end of what could be a brilliant match.
version 2 in this scenario means I couldn’t get a seat before 9:30 from Manuka and I have to walk a long way to get home because the bus drivers have gone to bed.

2) Drive to the game and cop a fine of $75-130?? Not really worth it.

3) Stay at home in my air conditioned comfort and have as many beers as I deem fit without fear of being kicked out of the premises, avoid hefty fines and exercise.

I think I’ll pick number 3 thanks.

Enjoy drinking in your loungeroom with all your friends on a Tuesday, as Foxtel isn’t showing it this year.
I look forward to catching up with mates, lining up all day for overpriced midstrength and the inevitable dehydration headaches, grabbing something to eat from Manuka or Kingston at the change of innings, and bits I missed applying sunscreen to peeling by Saturday.